Cam Ward · Sam Darnold · 2026 week 9

Cam Ward or Sam Darnold?

Wondering who you should start this week — Cam Ward or Sam Darnold? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start Sam DarnoldSam Darnold projects 4.3 PPR points clear of Cam Ward in week 9, drawing LV — the 5th-ranked matchup for QBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 9	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Cam Ward	vs JAX	13.1	24th	13.6	99	healthy
Sam Darnold START	@ LV	17.4	5th · soft	15.5	189	Out

QBs vs JAX recently: Jalen Hurts 13 pts (W5) · C.J. Stroud 24 pts (W6) · Daniel Jones 8.5 pts (W8).

QBs vs LV recently: Josh Allen 18.3 pts (W6) · Matthew Stafford 18.5 pts (W7) · Geno Smith 19 pts (W8).

🎓 The coach's read

Sam Darnold projects 4.3 points higher in PPR.
Cam Ward faces JAX, 24th most generous to QBs.
Sam Darnold faces LV, 5th most generous to QBs.
Sam Darnold is flagged OUT.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Sam Darnold carries the higher trade value — 189 against 99 (a 48% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Sam Darnold gets the most. Momentum: Cam Ward +17 and Sam Darnold -351 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More QB decisions

Cam Ward or Jacoby Brissett?Cam Ward or Deshaun Watson?Cam Ward or Gardner Minshew II?Sam Darnold or Bryce Young?Sam Darnold or Aaron Rodgers?Sam Darnold or Kyler Murray?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.